Jesus was a miracle worker

JESUS WAS A MIRACLE WORKER
EDITED BY GLENN PEASE
Luke 7:22 22So he replied to the messengers, "Go
back and report to John what you have seen and
heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those
who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead
are raised, and the good news is proclaimedto the
poor.
Introduction to the Miracles of Jesus BY DANIEL R. VESS
Introduction A. ILL: A boy, aged6, comes home from church all excited and
his father asks why. He replies that he learnedthe story of Passover. He
relates:"Moseswas aboutto take the Jews out of Egypt when suddenly the
Israeliair-force appearedwith their thundering jets, and bombed Egypt. The
Egyptian forces sent out their helicopters and the Israeli air-force shot them
down, whereupon Moses crossedthe ocean." The father, amazedat the story,
incredulously asks his son: "Is this the story that they taught you in school?"
The boy replies, "Nope, but if I would tell you the real story, you wouldn't
believe me." B. Jesus uses the unbelievable to produce belief. I. Definition of a
Miracle A. Redefining miracles. 1. We speak ofthe latestcomputer triumph
as a “technologicalmiracles” 2. We refer to the new advance in medical
treatment as a “Miracle drug.” 3. We call the rapid growthof a company’s
stock value “miraculous.” 4. Are these the normal events of daily life? Car
accident“it was a miracles that he was not killed.” Incidents beyond the pale

of everyday life. 5. Supernatural as being ‘primitive’ and ‘unscientific’ was
demolishing miracles. 6. The production of results beyond the capacity of
man. 7. In the sense of “wonders,”sciencecanalreadyperform them. 8.
Roland H Worth, Jr., wrote: “Since our minds are finite and God’s infinite,
there is no waythat we will ever have the full mastery of the natural laws of
this universe in the sense and to the degree that he does.” 9. Science willnever
perform “miracles” in the sene that the Bible uses the term. B. An exacted
definition of a miracles canbe elusive. 1. An interposition of Divine power to
produce a specific result. 2. A Miracle is “anevent...that apparently
contradicts known scientific laws and is hence thought to be due to
supernatural causes, especiallyto an actof God” (Webster’s New 20th
Century Dictionary, Unabridged). 3. “A wonderful happening that is above
against, or independent of the knownlaws of nature” (Thorndike Barnhart
Junior Dictionary.)4. “What is a miracle? A miracle has been defined as a
work wrought by a divine power for a divine purpose by means beyond the
read of man.” Lockyer5. “A miracle is an event in the external world
wrought by the immediate powerof God and intended as a signor
attestation.” Gene Taylor6. A supernatural event resulting from
supernatural power. 7. Bible miracles often display the reversalof nature’s
course. Deviationform the known laws of nature, proving that God is not
only the Makerof all these laws, but also their Sovereign. Powerto control
and change it, suspend or direct its laws for a season. Godis beyond and
above nature, He never violates any of its laws. C. A perfectly complete list of
miracles wold depend on one’s definition of a miracles.
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II. Descriptive Terms for Miracles A. Three Words 1. Three words in Acts
2:22 - “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus ofNazareth, a Man attestedby
God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in
your midst, as you yourselves also know— 2. See 2 Cor. 12:12; 2 Th. 2:9 B.
Miracles orMighty Works 1. Greek - dunamis 2. Indicating works of
supernatural origin. C. Wonders . Greek - terata 2. Astonishment 3. (Mark
2:12; 4:41; 6:51; 7:37) D. Signs 1. Greek - semeion2. Philip Yanceywrites that
a “signis not the same thing as proof; a signif merely a marker for someone
who is looking in the right direction.” The miracles point us in the direction of

Jesus as the Son of God. Are we paying attention to the signs? E. Other Terms
or Phrases 1. “Mighty works” (Matt. 11:20;Mark 6:14; Luke 10:13). 2.
“Works” John5:36; 7:21; 10:25,32)“greatthings” Luke 1:49 3. “glorious
things” Luke 13:17 4. “strange things” Luke 5:26 5. “wonderful things” Matt.
21:15 6. “marvelous things” Ps. 78:12 7. “marvelous works” Ps. 1055;Is.
29:14). F. The healing of the paralytic (Mark 2:1-2) was a wonder, for they
who behold it “ere all amazed”;it was a power, for the man at Christ’s word
“arose, tookup his bed” it was a sign, poweron earth to forgive sin. III.
Variety of Jesus’Miracles A. We have only samples out of the mass of
miracles Jesus performed. B. Types of Miracle 1. Powerovernature. He
stilled a storm (Matthew 8:26-27). 2. Powerovermaterial things. He fed 5,000
men with a few loaves and fishes (Luke 9:10-17). 3. Poweroverall manner of
diseases(Matthew 8:16). 4. Poweroverthe spirit world (Matthew 8:16). 5.
Poweroverlife and death (John 11:14-44). 6. The Johannine Jesus displays
supernatural knowledge ofhidden realities (Jn. 1:47-49;2:24-25;4:16-19;
5:62; 6:64; 70-71;13:1; 21:6). C. Subjects: women, lepers, Samaritans,
Gentiles, tax-collectors,prostitutes, adulteress, Children, people with withered
limbs, the deaf, the dumb, the blind the lame and the dead. D. Places:near
and at a distance, on the wateron land, etc. E. Times: in the daytime and
nighttime F. General:1. Matthew 4:23 - And Jesus wentabout all Galilee,
teaching in their synagogues,preaching the gospelof the kingdom, and
healing all kinds of sicknessandall kinds of disease among the people.
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2. Matt. 4:24 - Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to
Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases andtorments,
and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He
healed them. 3. Matt. 8:16 - When evening had come, they brought to Him
many who were demon-possessed. And He castout the spirits with a word,
and healedall who were sick, 4. Matt. 9:35 - Then Jesus went about all the
cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospelofthe
kingdom, and healing every sicknessandevery disease among the people. 5.
Matt. 14:14 - And when Jesus wentout He saw a greatmultitude; and He was
moved with compassionfor them, and healedtheir sick. 6. Matt. 15:30 - Then
greatmultitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute,

maimed, and many others;and they laid them down at Jesus’feet, and He
healed them. 7. Matt. 19:2 - And great multitudes followedHim, and He
healed them there. 8. Matt. 21:14 - Then the blind and the lame came to Him
in the temple, and He healed them. G. Methods: The miracle of Bethsaida
preciselyshows us a man who passes formblindness to sight in two stages
‘people walking like trees” see plainly. IV. Designof Jesus’Miracles A.
Confirmation of the Word 1. Jesus made many claims a. He claimed to be the
Son of God (John 10:35-37). b. He claimed to be the Messiah(John4:25-26)c.
Savior of the world (John 14:6). d. Where is the proof? 2. The miracles are the
proof a. Mohammed no miracles attesting the divinity of his mission. b. Mark
16:20 - And they went out and preachedeverywhere, the Lord working with
them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. c.
Indispensable proofs of revelation. 1) Without miracles there would have been
incomplete evidence backing up His supernatural claims and the authority of
His teaching. 2) Supernatural Book - the Bible needs supernatural evidence. 3)
Mathematicaltruth requires a mathematicaldemonstration, so supernatural
truth requires supernatural attestation. B. Compassionfor Suffering Sinners
1. What is God like? What does God feel? How does God respond to human
suffering? God is loving enough and powerful enough and willing to help the
suffering. 2. Jesus performed miracles to show compassionand meet human
need. a. Mark 1:41 - Then Jesus, movedwith compassion, stretchedout His
hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” 3. Often
these healing miracles lay emphasis on Jesus’touching the sufferer. Contagion
quarantine rules the untouchables. 4. His goal, for the Sonof Man has come to
seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10
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a. Forgivenessofsins was of greaterconcernto Him than physical healings. C.
Creating Faith 1. John 20:30-31 - And truly Jesus did many other signs in the
presence ofHis disciples, which are not written in this book;31 but these are
written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that
believing you may have life in His name. D. Consummation of Prophecy 1. It
would have been very strange if He had not performed sings and wonders. 2.
Also in Matt. 11:1-6 when John the Baptist went two of his disciples to Him to
ask if He was the coming one. a. Mt. 11:2-5 - And when John had heard in

prison about the works of Christ, he senttwo of his disciples 3 and said to
Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” 4 Jesus
answeredand said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and
see:5 The blind see and the lame walk;the lepers are cleansedand the deaf
hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospelpreachedto them. 2.
Jesus quoted from the passage in Isaiah61 while in the synagogue at
Nazareth, and indicated that it was fulfilled in him (Luke 4:18–21). a. Isaiah
61:1 - “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Becausethe Lord has anointed
Me To preach goodtidings to the poor; He has sentMe to heal the
brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the
prison to those who are bound; b. Not the prophet himself, but He who had
been appointed to be the Mediatorof a new covenant, the light of the Gentiles,
the salvationof Jehovahfor the whole world. c. Jesus who read this in the
synagogue atNazarethapplied it entirely to Himself (Luke 4:17,18,21). E.
Confirmation of His Deity 1. We would expect an alien for a far galaxy far
more advanced techthan earth to demonstrate such. 2. Five Proofs of Jesus’
Deity, John 5:1-39 a. His own testimony, 31 b. John the Baptist33-35 c. Father
37 d. Word of God 38-39 e. His works 36 1) John 5:36 - But I have a greater
witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish—
the very works that I do—bearwitness of Me, that the Fatherhas sent Me. 3.
John 20:30-31 F. Certificationas the Messiah1. John 3:2 - This man came to
Jesus by night and saidto Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teachercome
from God; for no one cando these signs that You do unless God is with him 2.
When John doubted His Messiahship, Jesus pointedto the miracles. G.
Command over Satan1. Demonstrations ofa power superior to that of Satan.
2. Matt. 12:29 - Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his
goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his
house. 3. By the powerto castout demons.
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H. Coming of the Kingdom 1. Jesus’miracles were signs of the presence of the
kingdom of God (Matt. 12:39). 2. Luke 11:20 - But if I castout demons with
the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. I. Causing
Repentance 1. Mt. 11:21 - “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!For
if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon,

they would have repented long ago in sackclothand ashes. J. Clarifying
Spiritual Truths 1. If Jesus once turned 120 gallons ofwaterinto wine at a
country wedding, so what? 2. The miracles were relevant to the people back
then. But what about now? 3. We fail to be spiritually helped or nourished by
them because we miss their inner meaning. 4. Jesus claimedthe powerto give
life by raising the dead. a. John 5:21 - For as the Fatherraises the dead and
gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. b. After claiming
to be the resurrectionand the life (John 11:25)he raised Lazarus from the
dead. 5. He claimed to be the Breadof Life after feeding the 5000. 6. He
claimed to be the light of the World by bringing a blind man our of a lifetime
of darkness. 7. The healing of lepers illustrates the removal of sins’ loathsome
defilement. 8. He healed10 lepers and taught a lessonon gratitude. 9. He
healed and spoke of greatfaith. 10. He healed to showedhis power to forgive
sins. 11. Discovermore of their relevance to you and your faith. ConclusionA.
The miracles offer a glimpse of Heaven 1. A glimpse of the world that is to
come. The supernatural acts of Jesus are like a flash of lightening that
illuminates a dark night for a few moments, allowing us to see clearly. 2. Tim
Keller comments, “We modern people think of miracles as the suspensionof
the natural order, but Jesus meant them to be the restorationof the natural
order. 3. God did not originally make the world to have disease,hunger, and
death in it. 4. In Heaven no sickness, pain, death, demons, etc. No bad
weatheror darkness. All will have a new body forever
BIBLEHUB RESOURCES
The Leprosy Of Sin
Luke 7:22
W. Clarkson
Why specify the fact that the lepers were cleansed? Whysingle out this disease
from others that might have been named? Becauseit was peculiarly desirable

that, when the Messiahcame and gave credentials of his heavenly origin, he
should exercise his power in this direction. For leprosy was the chosentype of
sin. All disease is pictorial of sin; it is to our bodily frame what sin is to the
soul - it is inward disorder showing itself in outward manifestation. But
leprosy was that peculiar form of sickness whichthe Divine Lawgiver selected
as the type of sin. And surely it was perfectly fitted to be so regarded. We look
at -
I. ITS LOATHSOMENESS.Why was the leper so rigidly excluded from
society? We have no convincing evidence that this was a dangerous,
contagious disorder. But the extreme loathsomenessofthe leper's appearance
fully accountedfor the decree. It was not fitting that anything so terribly
repulsive and shocking should be seenin the homes and in the streets. Sin is
the most odious of all things; it is "that abominable thing which Godhates."
God "cannotlook" upon it. In its fouler forms it is infinitely offensive to the
pure of heart.
II. ITS DIFFUSIVENESS. Leprosywas eminently diffusive. It was
communicated from parent to child; it spread from limb to limb, from organ
to organ, until it coveredthe entire body. Sin is a thing which spreads. It, too,
is communicable by heredity, and it also spreads from faculty to faculty. Sin
leads to sin. "There's nota crime but takes its change out still in crime." Theft
leads to violence, drunkenness to falsehood, impurity to deceit. Sin also
spreads from man to man, from child to child, from friend to friend. You
cannot circumscribe it; it passes allbounds that may be set up.
III. ITS PITIFULNESS. Who could regard the leper, doomed to a long,
perhaps a lifelong separationfrom his family and his business and all
favourite pursuits, without heartfelt pity? Life was worth nothing to him. Sin
is condemnable enough; but it is pitiable also. Blame the erring, reproachthe
faulty, remonstrate with the foolish, but do not fail to pity those whom sin is
shutting out from all that is best below, and from all that is bright above. Pity
these with a profound compassion, and help them with an uplifting hand.
IV. ITS SEPARATING INFLUENCE. As the leper was exiled from mankind
and banished to a severe isolation, so does sin come in as a separating power.

1. It separates a man from God, opening the wide, deep gulf of conscious guilt.
2. It separates manfrom man. It is not high walls, or broad acres, or
unmeasured seas, that divide man from man: it is folly, hatred, malice,
jealousy, sin.
V. ITS DEATHFULNESS. In the leper the springs of health were poisoned;
there was a process ofdissolution going on; it was death in life. Sin is death.
"She that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth," wrote Paul. And our
Lord's words imply the same:"Whoso believeth on me, though he were dead,
yet shall he live." A man living apart from God and. in rebellion againsthim
is so far from answering the end of human life that he may be rightly
regardedas dead while he lives.
VI. ITS INCURABLENESS BYMAN. The Jews did not bring the leper to the
physician; they regardedhim as incurable by the art of man. Sin is incurable
by human methods. Regulations for conduct, vows of abstinence,
parliamentary statutes, legalpenalties, do not cure. They may be very
valuable as accessories,but they will not heal. Only the Divine hand can
accomplishthat for the human heart. One there is who offers himself as the
Divine Physician;he who sent back to John in prison the convincing message,
"The lepers are cleansed." In him is all-forgiving grace and all-cleansing
power. A living faith in him will lead to pardon and to purity. Instead of
loathsomeness, there will be spiritual beauty; insteadof isolation, communion;
instead of a living death, eternal life. - C.
Biblical Illustrator
Art Thou He that should come, or look we for another?
Luke 7:19-22
John's doubting messageto Jesus
A. B. Bruce, D. D.

1. Much discussionhas taken place concerning John's doubt, whether it was
real or affected;and if real, what was its cause? We believe there was doubt in
the mind of the Baptist — serious doubt — arising out of no personalor petty
source, but causedby the way in which the Messianic careerof Jesus was
developing itself.
2. This doubt was not in regardto the identity of the workerof the works
reported to John with Jesus, but in regard to the nature of the works viewed
as Messianic. Butwhy should John stumble at those works, so full of the spirit
of love and mercy? Justbecause they were works of mercy. These were not
the sortof works he had expectedMessiahto busy Himself with; at all events,
so exclusively. Cf. Jonah's zealfor righteousness.
3. The reply sentback by Jesus to John amounted to this, that the sure marks
that He was the coming One, the Christ, were just the very works which had
awakenedJohn's surprise.
4. Having recounted rapidly His mighty works, Jesus appendedthe reflection,
"And blessedis he whosoevershallnot be offended in Me." We are not to find
in the words traces either of harshness towards John or of wounded feeling in
the speaker.The tone of compassionrather than of severity is audible in the
utterance. Jesus felt keenlyhow much John missedby being in such a state of
mind that that in His own work which was most godlike was a stumbling-
block to him. Translatedinto positive form the reflectionmeans, "Blessedare
they to whom the mercy and the grace ofwhich I am full, and whereofMy
ministry is the manifestationand outflow, are no stumbling-block, but rather
worthy of all acceptation."
(A. B. Bruce, D. D.)
The testof Christianity
E. W. Shalders, BA.

1. Jesus deliberatelydeclined to rest His claims upon any other grounds than
the testimony of His Father, a testimony which shone in the truth of His
words, and in the heavenly characterof His mission.
2. If the MasterHimself is willing, nay demands, to be judged by results,
manifestly organizations and churches that claim to be calledby His name
must not shrink from the same test.
3. The only proof of your being in contactwith the living Saviour, the only
proof that you rightly apprehend and sincerelyembrace Him, is the result in
your own hearts and conduct. No religion is worth anything that is not a
power.
(E. W. Shalders, BA.)
Looking for another Christ
R. W. Dale, D. D.
There are times when, through the disappointments and failures of our
personalreligious lives, it may be necessaryto look for another Christ than
the Christ we have alreadyknown.
1. There are some who have been restless formonths, perhaps for years, about
their sin. They have appealed to Christ again and again, and the peace of
Christ has not come to them. They are tempted to put this question. Christ
may reply by pointing them to the great triumphs of His mercy by which they
are surrounded. Go to Christ with all your trouble, and with a clearand vivid
remembrance of His death, and you cannot put this question.
2. There are some who feelthat their Christian life has not had the powerand
brightness they hoped for. This, also, oftenarises from a defective knowledge
of Christ. Perhaps you have forgottenthat He is not only a Saviour, but a
Prince, and that you must acceptHis law as the rule of your life, and strive to
get His will done on earth as the will of God is done in heaven.

3. This question may be suggestedby the generalcondition and history of the
world, a large part of the world is still unsaved: the misery Jesus came to
console stilllargely unconsoled. Do you look for another Christ? Can the
contents of His revelationbe anyhow enriched? Can there be more careful
warnings, more glorious promises, more compassion, more gentleness and
beauty, than there are in Him and His gospel?
4. We do not look for the coming of another Christ, but the Christ whom we
know will come in another form, to complete in powerand majesty the work
which He beganin weaknessand in shame.
(R. W. Dale, D. D.)
The answerof Jesus to John
Bishop Moorhouse.
It seems to me that here the Lord prescribes to His Church the answershe
should give in all days when men rise up and question whether He comes from
God, when men rise up to say to His Church, "Are you the kingdom of God?
are you the Divine societyestablishedupon earth to be the home of the new
life, and the source ofa wide-spreading influence? Are you the city setupon a
hill that cannot be hid?" When such questions are asked, the Church must be
ready, not merely to give proofs of her ancientorigin, her orthodox title-deeds
drawn from the dusty safes of her theology, but she must be able to say,
"Look at my life, my work. See what I am doing for the poor, the destitute,
the oppressed, and judge me as you find me." Can the Church of God, in
these days, bear such an appeal as that? Can she say, "Look at the asylums I
nave founded and support for the poor, the lame, the halt, and the blind! Look
at my children giving devoted labour in the lowestdens of your cities; at my
sons faithfully striving for the truth in the halls of your legislature;and see in
juster laws and a purer life, and a more brotherly relation betweenman and
man, proofs of the powerof my spirit, and of the truth of my labours"? She
must answerso, and so must you and I, when challengedto prove that we are
of God. We hear a great dealin these days about answers to the infidel, about

arguments philosophical, historical, and scientific, which shall have the power,
in the hands of skilful men, of silencing the antagonist. But a better argument
and a mightier that any of these, an argument that never fails, is that derived
from the fruits and results of religion in the life. The man who reads your
history with criticism, and meets your argument with argument, will bare his
head and bow his neck before the spectacle ofa holy and devoted life. That he
sees is true, whatever else be false;that is of God, whateverbecomes ofbooks
and institutions.
(Bishop Moorhouse.)
The messageofJohn the Baptist
Canon T. D. Bernard.
I. THE MESSAGE. Whatdid it mean?
1. To convince his disciples? Notsuited to do it; suggesting doubtfulness in
their master; impairing previous witness.
2. To reassure himself? At variance with
(1)his character, testimony, Divine assurance.
(2)Words of the Lord (ver. 24), aimed to prevent the supposition.
(3)The occasion. "Whenhe had heard the works of Christ" — the lastwork
being the raising of the dead.
3. Messagenotof uncertainty, but of impatience. Things do not go as the
Baptist expected. The world left in doubt. Opinion taking wrong turn for want
of distinct assertion. Works ofChrist, but no proclamation of Christ. It ought
to be made. The time is come. He the proper personto obtain it. He will
demand it in the interests of all.
II. THE REPLY.
1. Answer.

(1)To what was said. The facts are sufficient answer.
(2)To what was meant. The method will not be changed. The Lord must
choose His own course. Menmust see and judge. Facts first, then assertions.
2. Warning. There is danger in this disposition — danger of questioning God's
methods; restlessness,dissatisfaction, diminution of attachment, failure of
faith.
(Canon T. D. Bernard.)
Moralevidence of Christianity superior to miracles
J. Harris, D. D.
1. It is evident John did not clearly apprehend the spirituality of the kingdom
Christ was to introduce. Like the apostles, he expectedthe kingdom of God
would come with observation, insteadof its being of a slow, quiet, spiritual
growth. He lookedfor something more visible. There were the remains of the
old dispensationmixed up with his ideas of its nature; too much of the Old
Testamenttheocracy.
2. The remarkable manner in which the idea of the coming of Christ had
takenpossessionofthe minds of men at the time John sent his disciples to
inquire respecting it. The familiar designationof the Messiahwas "the
Comer." "Him that is to come" is but the common version of the world's
designationof the Messiah. The Comer, as if with Him came everything else
desirable. The coming of all future gooddepended upon His coming.
3. I might notice the world's slownessin recognizing Christ as the Messiah,
and the circumstances whichoccasionedthat slowness to admit His claim.
4. He proceededto enforce His claim by evidence corresponding with His
character, and their necessities,and by evidence alone, the result of which He
is prepared to wait (Luke 7:21-23). As if He had said, "Go and tell John My
kingdom is a spiritual kingdom, and the employment of other than spiritual
means would be uncongenialand obstructive."

5. That our Lord not only employed evidence in contradistinctionfrom
worldly display and physical force, but that He presented to these inquirers
and the multitude moral evidence as superior to miraculous.
I. CHRIST'S PREACHING CONSISTED, IN A REMARKABLE DEGREE,
OF DEEDS.
1. Thus on this occasion, the God-like reply to the inquiry, "Art Thou He that
should come?" His deeds spoke. He entered into no argumentative defence of
His claims — "Actions speak louder than words." "In the same hour He
cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many
that were blind He gave sight." He left the stupendous miracles He had
performed to speak for themselves (Psalm19.l-3). The heavens had done
much, and now He is in the world to develop what the heavens could not
declare. It was not to be expectedthat His more full manifestation would be
verbal merely, or chiefly, for how canspeech, which is but the symbol of
thought, conveyideas of what thought cannotgrasp respecting "God, who is a
spirit," immaterial, infinite, invisible, incomprehensible. Speechfails to do
justice to the finite, the visible, the material, and comprehensible;to convey
the greatestandbest conceptions ofour own minds.
2. Christ's verbal teaching related especiallyto Himself. Eachportion of it was
either the vindication of acts He had performed, or an intimation of some
purpose he was about to accomplish, or a development of the kingdom He was
then establishing — relating to its nature, origin, character, or growth.
3. This distinctive and important factsupplies a reply to the following
objections.(1)The first objectionwe refer to, more frequently felt than
expressed, relates to the greaterfulness of evangelical doctrines in the Epistles
than in the Gospels. Although the latter comprise the discourses and teaching
of Christ Himself, we reply to this by saying, "Christ came not so much to
preach the gospelas to procure it, to establishand confirm it, to perform the
deeds, the recordof which constitutes the gospel."(2)The secondobjection
urged from the time of Celsus downwards is, that parallels to some of our
Lord's sayings are to be found in the writings of Plato, Isocrates, and others.
Hence it has been inferred, absurdly enough, that the gospelhad been

anticipated — that Christianity was not original. To which we reply,
admitting the supposedresemblances, the wonder is that they are so
extremely few — two or three mere maxims of morality, and these but the
distant reverberations of Sinai's echoes ofthe ancientand moral law. What is
Christianity? Nothing but a few maxims of morality? We triumphantly point
inquirers for Christianity to her spirit and her works — her resemblance to
her Lord.
II. His WORKS WERE WONDERFUL. It is a frequent description given of
God in the Old Testament, "He only doeth wonderful things." To achieve
wonders is the prerogative of God. "He alone doeth wonders";and this called
forth the grateful praises of His people. Not only is God the wonder-worker,
but strictly speaking, all that God does are wonders, only wonders. The atom
is as an atom not less wonderful than a world. Both owe their origin to His
creative power, and are impressed with the Divine signature. Was it strange
then that when "Godwas manifested in the flesh," that when He appeared
amongstus, who was predicted as "the wonderful," His works and deeds
should be "mighty signs and wonders." There was a sense in which He could
do nothing which was not wonderful; His constitution made it impossible that
anything ordinary could emanate from Him.
III. HIS WONDERSWERE MERCIES.
1. All His miracles were miracles of mercy. Nor was it necessaryto alter His
laws, imposed at the first on nature, they suffered no violence from His mercy;
on the contrary, they harmonized with it. In giving sight to the blind, He was
but restoring the eye to the use and exercise ofits proper function. His power
He used as a trust to be administered for man's goodalone.
2. Besides the present happiness, His mercies conveyedin the physical and
mental benefits, miraculously bestowed, they had a higher value, a symbolical
meaning, pointing to spiritual necessitiesand supplies, to the things relating to
our redemption.
3. His miracles demonstrated His power, and our interest in turning the
elements of earth to accountof spiritual uses, relating them to heaven. In
opening the blind eye He denoted that He came to be the Light of the world,

and that we need that the eye of the understanding should be open to receive
that light. The greatestwonderwas that of His incarnation. In comparison
with this wonder, all mere acts of His power were less splendid. This was the
long desired and promised wonder. The ancient tabernacle foreshadowedHis
tabernacling among men. The temple with its indwelling Shekinah
symbolically predicted this. Every instance of union betweenGod and man,
and the union of soul and body, prefigured this infinitely more mysterious
union of the Divine and human natures in His person.
IV. HIS MERCIES, like His acts, by which He replied to John's disciples,
WERE ANSWERS TO MAN'S NECESSITIES.This is only another mode of
saying that the blessings ofHis redemption are fully adapted to man's
exigencies. Itmight have been otherwise. His words might have been works;
His works might have been wonders; His wonders might have been mercies;
and yet, after all, there might have been a want of strict suitableness between
our necessities andthe mode of meeting them, but the text reminds us that His
mercies and deeds are exactly suitable and fully answerable to the exigencies.
1. This correspondenceadmits of universal application. He comprehended the
entire scheme of nature and Providence. No legitimate question on any
natural subject canever arise in the mind of man, which his Creatorand
Redeemerhas not foreseen;to which He has not inserted an answerin the
things which He has made. Ten thousand answers are silently awaiting the
future questions which shall call them forth. At this moment, while we are
assembledhere, the Creatormay be elsewhere exhibiting similar
demonstrations of His perfections in reply to inquirers. In the amplitude of
space, hosts ofintelligent beings may be collectedaround the chaos of a world,
wondering whether it will everbe restoredto harmony and order; whether all
creative acts are at an end, and while they are inquiring the fiat may go forth
from the Creatoragain, as "in the beginning," "Let there be light," and the
light of Divine powermay kindle around them.
2. The lessons ofthe Old Testamentare representedas replies. Godwas
graciouslypleasedto allow Himself to be inquired of. His replies were called
responses ororacles.

3. But now Christ had come as the living oracle;from Him the questions
which human guilt and misery had never ceasedto agitate, were to receive a
full practicalsatisfactoryreply.
V. A PRACTICAL CHRISTIANITYALONE, A CHRISTIANITY
EMBODIED IN DEEDS OF MERCY, ADEQUATELY ILLUSTRATES THE
WORKS OF REDEMPTION BYCHRIST. "Blessedis he, whosoevershall
not be offended in Me." Our Lord meant not that His wondrous works should
end with Himself. All powerwas given to Him as Mediatorand Head of the
Church, as a centre of an ever-enlarging circle. From Him as the Head of all
things to the Church all emanates.
(J. Harris, D. D.)
The soul dependent on physical conditions
Dr. Talmage.
Howevergoodand greatyou may be in the Christian life, your soul will never
be independent of physical conditions. I feel I am uttering a most practical,
useful truth here, one that may give relief to a greatmany Christians who are
worried and despondent at times. DoctorRush, a monarch in medicine, after
curing hundreds of cases ofmental depression, himself fell sick and losthis
religious hope, and he would not believe his pastor when the pastortold him
that his spiritual depressionwas only a consequence ofphysicaldepression.
Andrew Fuller, Themes Scott, William Cowper, Thomas Boston, David
Brainard, Philip Melancthon, were mighty men for God, but all of them
illustrations of the fact that a man's soul is not independent of his physical
health. An eminent physician gave as his opinion that no man ever died a
greatly triumphant death whose diseasewas below the diaphragm.
Stackhouse, the learned Christian writer, says he does not think Saul was
insane when David played the harp before him, but it was a hypochondria
coming from inflammation of the liver. The Deanof Carlisle, one of the best
men that ever lived, and one of the most useful, satdown and wrote: "Though
I have endeavouredto discharge my duty as well as I could, yet sadness and

melancholy of heart stick close by and increase upon me. I tell nobody, but I
am very much sunk indeed, and I wish I could have the relief of weeping as I
used to. My days are exceedinglydark and distressing. In a word, Almighty
God seems to hide His face, and I intrust the secretto hardly any earthly
being. I know not what will become of me. There is, doubtless, a gooddeal of
bodily affliction mingled with this, but it is not all so. I bless God, however,
that I never lose sight of the Cross, and, though I should die without seeing
any personalinterest in the Redeemer's merits, I hope that I shall be found at
His feet. I will thank you for a word at your leisure. My door is bolted at the
time I am writing this, for I am full of tears."
(Dr. Talmage.)
Inactivity a cause of doubt
F. W. Robertson, M. A.
Doubt often comes from inactivity. We cannotgive the philosophy of it, but
this is the fact, that Christians who have nothing to do but to sit thinking of
themselves, meditating, sentimentalising, are almostsure to become the prey
to dark, blank misgivings. John the Baptist, struggling in the desert, needs no
proof that Jesus is the Christ. John shut up became morbid and doubtful
immediately. We are mysteries, but here is the practical lessonofit all: for
sadness, forsuffering, for misgivings, there is no remedy but stirring and
doing.
(F. W. Robertson, M. A.)
Christ is the dispeller of doubt
Dr. Cuyler.
During his earlier life Dr. Merle D'Aubigne, the Swiss historianof the
Reformation, was grievouslyvexed with depressing doubts. He went to his old
teacherfor help. The shrewdold man refused to answerthe young man's

perplexities, saying, "Were I to get you rid of these doubts, others would
come. There is a shorter way of destroying them. Let Christ be really to you
the Sonof Godthe Saviour. Do His will. His light will dispel the clouds, and
His Spirit will lead you into all truth." The old man was right, and the young
D'Aubigne was wise enoughto adopt his counsel. He hoisted anchor, and
moved out of the regionof fogs, and quietly anchoredhimself under the
sunshine of Christ's countenance.
(Dr. Cuyler.)
Devotionto Christ a cure for despondency
Dr. Cuyler.
Active devotion to Christ's service is anothercure for spiritual despondency.
The faith-faculty gets numb by long inaction, just as a limb becomes numb
and useless ifit is not exercised. The love-powergrows coldif it is not kept
fired up. When faith and love both run low, the soul easilyfalls into an ague-
fit. What you need is to get out of yourself into a sympathy with, and
downright efforts for, the goodof others. When a desponding Christian came
to old Dr. Alexander for relief, the Doctorurged him to prayer. "I do pray
continually." "What do you pray for?" The young student said, "I pray that
the Lord would lift upon me the light of His countenance.""Then," replied
the sagaciousveteran, "go now and pray that He will use you for the
conversionof souls."
(Dr. Cuyler.)
To the poor the gospelis preached.
The gospelpreachedto the poor
N. Paterson.
I. THE EXCELLENCYOF THIS LAW. A new development of a heaven-laid
plan to enlighten the poor; to raise them in the scale ofbeing; to sweetenand

adorn their lot by the honours of intellectual culture, the comforts of social
life, and the hopes of immortality. The wisdom of our text, as a poor's law,
excels all the contrivances of men. It does not so much provide for the poor as
it prevents men from being poor. It cuts off the causes ofpoverty.
II. THE OBLIGATION IT LAYS UPON US. The wayto the most effective
sense ofduty is by discovering the need and the worth of the thing that is
enjoined; and is this a thing to be countermanded or opposed?:But if the
argument from the goodness ofpreceptseem too weak, letus view its
peremptory demand. It is the will of our Saviour that none live in a Christian
land without hearing the glad sound, that so all may walk in the light of His
countenance.
III. How is THIS GOOD LAW OF OUR LAND TO BE FULFILLED.?
(N. Paterson.)
Christ's works
G. Brooks.
1. Our Saviour's works were words.
2. His works were wonders.
3. His wonders were wonders of mercy.
4. His wonders of mercy were suited to the necessitiesofman.
5. The suitableness of His wonders of mercy to the necessitiesofman is a
satisfactoryproofof His Messiahship.
(G. Brooks.)
The suitability of the gospelto the poor
G. Brooks.

The gospelis especiallyadapted to the poor, in respectof —
1. Their education.
2. Their resources.
3. Their opportunities.
4. Their prospects.
(G. Brooks.)
A preacherto the poor
John Wesleyalways preferred the middling and lower classes to the wealthy.
He said "If I might choose I should still, as I have done hitherto, preachthe
gospelto the poor."
Trophies of the work of Christ
C. H. Spurgeon.
Before many a Popishshrine on the Continent one sees exhibited a great
variety of crutches, togetherwith waxmodels of arms, legs, and other limbs.
These are supposedto representthe cures wrought by devotion at that altar
— the memorials of the healing power of the saint. Poor, miserable
superstition, all of it, and yet what a reminder to the believer in Jesus as to his
duty and his privilege? Having pleaded at the feet of Jesus, we have found
salvation;have we remembered to record this wonder of His hand? If we
hung up memorials of all His matchless grace,whatcrutches and bandages
and trophies of every sort should we pile together!Temper subdued, pride
humbled, unbelief slain, sin castdown, sloth ashamed, carelessnessrebuked.
The cross has healedall manner of diseases, andits honours should be
proclaimed with every rising and setting sun.
(C. H. Spurgeon.)

Christianity and the poor
C. H. Spurgeon.
A celebrateddoctorof divinity in London, who is now in heaven I have no
doubt — a very excellentand godly man — gave notice one Sunday that he
intended to visit all his people, and said, that in order to be able to getround
and visit them and their families once in the year, he should take all the
seatholders in order, A person well knownto me, who was then a poor man,
was delighted with the idea that the minister was coming to his house to see
him, and about a week ortwo before he conceivedit would be his turn his wife
was very carefulto sweepthe hearth and keepthe house tidy, and the man
ran home early from work, hoping eachnight to find the Doctorthere. This
went on for a considerable time. He either forgothis promise, or grew weary
in performing it, or for some other reasonnever went to this poor man's
house; and the result was this, the man lost confidence in all preachers, and
said, "Theycare for the rich, but they do not care for us who are poor." That
man never settled down to any one place of worship for many years, till at last
he dropped into Exeter Hall and remained my hearer for years till Providence
removed him. It was no small task to make him believe that any minister
could be an honest man, and could impartially love both rich and poor.
(C. H. Spurgeon.)
STUDYLIGHTRESOURCES
Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible
And he answered, and said unto them, Go and tell John the things which ye
have seenand heard; the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers

are cleansed, andthe deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good
tidings preachedto them. And blessedis he whosoevershallfind no occasion
of stumbling in me.
One passagewhichJesus clearlyhad in mind was Isaiah35:5, in which the
prophet foretold the messianic age. Thus Jesus answeredJohnplainly, but not
too plainly, that he was indeed the Christ. The reasonfor Jesus'avoidance of
a more dogmatic declarationconcerning himself at that time was to deny on
his ownbehalf the malignant, carnalnotions of Messiah's true character
which had perverted the popular mind of that day. For more on this, see my
Commentary on Matthew, Matthew 11:1-3.
The dead are raised up ... has reference to a plurality of resurrections;and
here is proof that not all such wonders have been recordedby the sacred
authors. Long after the synoptic Gospels were written, John recordedthe
raising of Lazarus; and there may have been many others whom the Lord
raisedto life from the dead.
Blessedis he ... The clause introduced by these words shows that Jesus
expectedJohn to continue in faith; and the passage immediately afterward
indicates that Jesus knew he would continue.
Copyright Statement
James Burton Coffman Commentaries reproduced by permission of Abilene
Christian University Press, Abilene, Texas, USA. All other rights reserved.
Bibliography
Coffman, James Burton. "Commentary on Luke 7:22". "Coffman
Commentaries on the Old and New Testament".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bcc/luke-7.html. Abilene
Christian University Press, Abilene, Texas, USA. 1983-1999.
return to 'Jump List'
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

Then Jesus answering saidunto them,.... "To the disciples", as the Persic;to
both, as the Arabic: when he had wrought these cures, he turned himself to
the disciples of John, and made answerto their question. The Vulgate Latin
leaves out the word "Jesus", rendering it, "and he answering";in the
following words:
go your way, and tell John what things ye have seenand heard. They had just
seenmany cured of infirmities, plagues, and evil spirits, and they had heard
the doctrines of the Gospelpreachedby him; and the former were in
confirmation of the latter, and both were proofs of his being the Messiah:the
particulars of which follow,
how that the blind see;that is, they that had been blind, and some that were
born blind receivedtheir sight, which was what was never heard of before,
from the beginning of the world; and which, as it is an instance of Christ's
almighty power, showing him to be God; so it was a fulfilment of a prophecy
concerning him as the Messiah, who, when he came, was to open the eyes of
the blind, Isaiah 35:5 and this was true, not only in a corporeal, but in a
spiritual sense:and generally so it was, that when the blind receivedtheir
bodily sight, they also receivedtheir spiritual sight; and both were evidences
of the true Messiahshipof our Lord Jesus.
The lame walk;these were among those who were cured of their infirmities;
and this also was prophesiedof the Messiah, andwas now accomplishedby
Jesus, that "the lame man" should "leapas an hart", Isaiah 35:6 and so was
to be consideredby John, and his disciples, as another proof of his being the
true Messiah:
the lepers are cleansed;of this sort were they who were cured of their plagues:
the leprosywas calleda plague; hence the treatise of leprosy, in the Misna, is,
by the Jews, calledNegaim, or "plagues".
The deaf hear; so in the above prophecy in Isaiah, it is predicted, that "the
ears of the deaf should be unstopped" in the days of the Messiah;and which
therefore must be consideredas a further confirmation of Jesus being he that
was to come, and that another was not to be lookedfor.

The dead are raised: whether there were any raisedat this time, or no, is not
certain; but certainit is, that there had been one raisedfrom the dead, if not
in the presence ofthese disciples, yet just before they came to Christ, of which
John had been informed by some of his disciples, if not these;and of which an
accountis given before in this chapter, and which is what none but the mighty
God can do.
To the poor the Gospelis preached: it was preachedboth by the poor, the
disciples of Christ, and to the poor, mean, base, and illiterate among the Jews;
and also to the poor, meek, and lowly in heart, as was prophesied should be,
by the Messiah, Isaiah61:1 so that put all together, here were undoubted
proofs, and a full demonstration, that Jesus was the Messiah;See Gill on
Matthew 11:4. See Gill on Matthew 11:5.
Copyright Statement
The New John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible Modernisedand adapted
for the computer by Larry Pierce of Online Bible. All Rightes Reserved,
Larry Pierce, Winterbourne, Ontario.
A printed copy of this work can be ordered from: The Baptist Standard
Bearer, 1 Iron Oaks Dr, Paris, AR, 72855
Bibliography
Gill, John. "Commentary on Luke 7:22". "The New John Gill Expositionof
the Entire Bible". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/geb/luke-
7.html. 1999.
Robertson's WordPictures in the New Testament
What things ye have seenand heard (α ειδετε και ηκουσατε — ha eidete kai
ēkousate).In Matthew 11:4, present tense “which ye do hear and see.” Restof
Luke 7:22, Luke 7:23 as in Matthew 11:4-6, which see notes for details. Luke
mentions no raisings from the dead in Luke 7:21, but the language is mainly

general, while here it is specific. Σκανδαλιζομαι — Skandalizomaiused here
has the double notion of to trip up and to entrap and in the N.T. always means
causing to sin.
Copyright Statement
The Robertson's WordPictures of the New Testament. Copyright �
Broadman Press 1932,33,Renewal1960. All rights reserved. Used by
permission of Broadman Press (Southern BaptistSunday SchoolBoard)
Bibliography
Robertson, A.T. "Commentary on Luke 7:22". "Robertson'sWord Pictures
of the New Testament".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/rwp/luke-7.html. Broadman
Press 1932,33. Renewal1960.
Vincent's Word Studies
The blind receive, etc
Better, are receiving, are walk ing, evenwhile Jesus is speaking and John is in
doubt.
Copyright Statement
The text of this work is public domain.
Bibliography
Vincent, Marvin R. DD. "Commentaryon Luke 7:22". "Vincent's Word
Studies in the New Testament".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/vnt/luke-7.html. Charles
Schribner's Sons. New York, USA. 1887.

Wesley's ExplanatoryNotes
Then Jesus answering saidunto them, Go your way, and tell John what things
ye have seenand heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are
cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospelis preached.
To the poor the Gospelis preached — Which is the greatestmercy, and the
greatestmiracle of all.
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain and are a derivative of an electronic edition that
is available on the Christian ClassicsEtherealLibrary Website.
Bibliography
Wesley, John. "Commentary on Luke 7:22". "JohnWesley's Explanatory
Notes on the Whole Bible".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/wen/luke-7.html. 1765.
The Fourfold Gospel
And he answeredand said unto them, Go and tell John the things which ye
have seenand heard1; the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers
tidings preachedto them2.
And he answeredand said unto them, Go and tell John the things which ye
have seenand heard. See .
The poor have goodtidings preachedto them. See .

Copyright Statement
These files are public domain and are a derivative of an electronic edition that
is available on the Christian ClassicsEtherealLibrary Website. These files
were made available by Mr. Ernie Stefanik. First published online in 1996 at
The RestorationMovementPages.
Bibliography
J. W. McGarveyand Philip Y. Pendleton. "Commentaryon Luke 7:22". "The
Fourfold Gospel". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/tfg/luke-
7.html. Standard Publishing Company, Cincinnati, Ohio. 1914.
John Trapp Complete Commentary
22 Then Jesus answering saidunto them, Go your way, and tell John what
things ye have seenand heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the
lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospelis
preached.
Ver. 22. {See Trapp on "Matthew 11:4"} {See Trapp on "Matthew 11:5"}
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
Text Courtesyof BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission.

Bibliography
Trapp, John. "Commentary on Luke 7:22". John Trapp Complete
Commentary. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jtc/luke-7.html.
1865-1868.
Sermon Bible Commentary
Luke 7:22
The description of His ownwork which Jesus returned for the instruction and
encouragementofthe Baptist presents these three features:(1) it is a ministry
of abundant charity to the temporal needs of needy men; (2) it is a ministry of
Divine promise and help—"the poor receive glad tidings;" (3) these two are
blended naturally and simply together.
I. On part of this ground we are at one; it is that of desire to minister to the
goodand increase the happiness of our fellowmen. To ask in what goodand
happiness consistmight seempedantic and abrupt. But on the wayin which
these things may be increasedmen feel that they have learnedsomething. We
have two results of presentteaching: (1) that happiness is a harmony between
man and his surroundings; (2) the rule or method of charity, making charity
to consistin giving our personalhelp and service, and in bringing to the needy
those things which, for ourselves, have given brightness and interest and
worth to life. Can we bring the two into relationwith one another, and then
with Christ's type of ministry as suggestedin the text?
II. Turn back your thoughts upon the history of human happiness, and think
of its earlierstages. Under simple and primitive conditions, nature seems to
provide man with a stock ofhappiness, or of material for happiness;he gains
happiness from his harmony with his surroundings, as proved in the pleasures
of the bodily instincts or functions, in the glad response of vital energy, in
muscle and limb, to moderate demands for exertion, in the earliestforms of
human intercourse in family or clan, and by degrees in the exercise ofskill or
resource, and in the power to appreciate beauty or grandeur in nature around
him. In proportion as consciousnessbecomesarticulate, andreflection

awakes, manmust, by the very nature of his mind, grasp all that is outside
himself into a whole. He must look before and after and above. What then if
there comes a time when the world's face is darkened? Civilisation has
developed, but man seems to be no gainer. The effectof increasedwealthand
knowledge seemedto have only sappedold-fashioned simplicities and virtues,
and substituted the power of money for the powerof loyalty and right. What
can we do to minister to men's needs. The answerhas been forming in men's
minds, even when they have not realisedall its meaning. Make it possible for
men to believe in happiness; make it possible for them to believe in love. Give
them the things which will brighten their life, glimpses of the beauty of nature
or art or intellect; recoverfor them the simple pleasures ofthe poorestand
humblest thing that can be called a home. Make impossible regions of human
life visited by no light of human sympathy, or lightened by no hope of human
succour. Open to them possibilities of aspiration. Restore in this waygently a
sense ofharmony with the order of things into which they have been born.
Soothe the dumb exasperationwhichcomes of having to live in a world that
means nothing but darkness and want and fear. And then give yourself, your
personal help; use your freedom of time, your money if you have it, your
acquirements of understanding, knowledge, still to convince them that there is
such a thing as unselfish and compassionate love. And leave the inference to
them. The very poverty and misery which have once blossomedfor them with
the miraculous fruit of a true charity will never seemthe same again. You
have gone among them to carry as far as in you lies whateverof bright and
beautiful, of goodand pure, of loving and tender, could bear witness that life
carries hope with it. And thereby you have given them an alphabet by which
to read the witness of the beauty, the greatness, the tenderness of Christ. You
can speak to them of Christ, not only as a witness of what may be or what
shall be, but as a present Giver of all precious gifts. Or, more truly, of one gift
which implies the rest—the gift of God's love certainly known, and with a
joyful confidence of faith actually receivedand welcomedinto their souls.
E. S. Talbot, Oxford and Cambridge Journal, Jan. 31st, 1884.
References:Luke 7:22.—Parker, Hidden Springs, p. 316. Luke 7:23.—
Preacher's Monthly, vol. i., p. 135. Luke 7:24.—Clergyman's Magazine, vol. i.,
p. 39.

Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Nicoll, William R. "Commentary on Luke 7:22". "SermonBible
Commentary". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/sbc/luke-
7.html.
Expository Notes with PracticalObservations onthe New Testament
The poor hear and receive the gospel. Matthew 11:5
Note, that all along, in our Saviour's time and since, the poor of the world
have been more disposedto hear and embrace the gospelthan other men; and
the reasons ofit are these:
1. Becausethe poor have no worldly interestto engage themto rejectChrist
and his gospel. The high-priest, the scribes and Pharisees, had a plain worldly
interest to engage them to oppose Christ and his doctrine; but the poor were
free from these incumbrances and temptations. They had nothing to lose;
therefore our Saviour's doctrine went down more easilywith them, because it
did not contradict their interest, as it did the interest of those who had great
possessions.
Those that are poor, and enjoy little of the goodthings of this life, are willing
to entertain the glad tidings of happiness in another life. Such as are in a state
of misery here, are glad to understand that it shall be well with them
hereafter, and are willing to listen to the goodnews of a future happiness;
wheras the rich, who have had their consolationhere, are not much concerned
what will become of them afterwards.

Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Burkitt, William. "Commentary on Luke 7:22". ExpositoryNotes with
PracticalObservations onthe New Testament.
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/wbc/luke-7.html. 1700-1703.
Greek TestamentCriticalExegeticalCommentary
22 f.] Nearly verbatim as Matt. The expressionνεκροὶ ἐγ. does not necessarily
imply that more than one such miracle had takenplace:the plural is generic.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Alford, Henry. "Commentary on Luke 7:22". Greek TestamentCritical
ExegeticalCommentary.
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/hac/luke-7.html. 1863-1878.
Matthew Poole's EnglishAnnotations on the Holy Bible
See Poole on"Luke 7:18"
Copyright Statement

Bibliography
Poole, Matthew, "Commentaryon Luke 7:22". Matthew Poole's English
Annotations on the Holy Bible.
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/mpc/luke-7.html. 1685.
Cambridge Greek Testamentfor Schools andColleges
22. ἃ εἴδετε. Our Lord wished His answerto be the announcement of facts,
not the explanation of difficulties. His enumeration of the miracles involves an
obvious reference to Isaiah 29:18;Isaiah 35:4-6;Isaiah 60:1-3 (see Luke 4:17-
19), which would be instantly caughtby one so familiar with the language of
“the Evangelical Prophet” as the Baptist had shewnhimself to be.
πτωχοὶ εὐαγγελίζονται.With this constructioncompare πεπίστευμαι τὸ
εὐαγγέλιον, Galatians 2:7. When a verb governing the dative is used in the
passive, the noun denoting the person becomes the nominative. See Winer, p.
326. Thus the spiritual miracle is placed as the most convincing climax. The
arrogantignorance and hard theologyof the Rabbis treated all the poor as
mere peasants and nobodies. The Talmud is full of the two contemptuous
names applied to them—‘people of the earth’ and ‘laics.’One of the charges
brought againstthe Pharisees by our Lord was their attempt to secure the
monopoly of knowledge, Luke 11:52.
ὃς ἐὰν for ὅστις ἄν. In late writers and in Hellenistic Greek ἐὰν is used in
exactly the same sense as ἂν after relative pronouns and conjunctions. The
peculiarity may have been derived from popular usage.
Copyright Statement

Bibliography
"Commentary on Luke 7:22". "Cambridge Greek TestamentforSchools and
Colleges".https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/cgt/luke-7.html.
1896.
PeterPett's Commentary on the Bible
‘And he answeredand said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you
have seenand heard; the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers
tidings preachedto them.”
And then He turned to John’s disciples and told them to go to John and tell
them what they had seenand heard. ‘Tell him that the blind receive their
sight, the lame walk, the skin diseasedare cleansed, the deafhear, the dead
are raisedup and the poor have the Good News preachedto them.’ All this
was in fulfilment of Isaiah29:18-19;Isaiah35:5-6; Isaiah61:1, to which is
added that the skin diseasedare cleansed(as with Elisha - 2 Kings 7) and the
dead are raised(as with Elijah (1 Kings 17)and Elisha (2 Kings 4) and
compare Isaiah 26:19 where the raising of the dead is an eschatologicalsign.
The messagewas threefold, firstly that One was here Who paralleled and even
eclipsedElijah and Elisha, secondlythat the eschatologicalsigns were being
fulfilled, and thirdly, through deafening silence, that the time of judgment was
not yet. God was at work in His own time. He was not in a hurry. He was
gathering the wheatinto the barn. The judgment could wait until the harvest
was gatheredin.
‘The blind receive their sight (Luke 4:18; Luke 14:13;Luke 14:21; Luke
18:35-43;Mark 8:22-26;Matthew 9:27-31;Matthew 12:22; Matthew 21:14),
the lame walk (Luke 5:17-26;Luke 14:13; Luke 14:21;Matthew 15:30;
Matthew 21:14; John 5:3; Acts 3:1-10), the lepers are cleansed(Luke 5:12-16;
Luke 17:11-19), and the deaf/dumb hear (Luke 11:14;Mark 7:31-37;

Matthew 9:32-34), the dead are raised up (Luke 7:11-17;Luke 8:40-56;John
11), the poor have goodtidings preachedto them (Luke 4:18; Luke 6:20; Luke
14:13;Luke 14:21).” Note that what is placed lastdraws attention to His
central purpose. He is hear to proclaim Good News, gathering the wheatinto
the barn (Luke 3:17). The judgment will follow in due time.
‘The poor have the goodnews preachedto them.’ No one had any time for the
poor. The Romans trampled on them, the Greeks despisedthem, the priests
and Levites passedthem by. But God had time for them. It was the Anointed
Prophet from God Who would proclaim the Good news to the poor (Isaiah
61:1). It was the goodshepherd who would attend to the poor of the flock
(Zechariah 11:7; Zechariah 11:11), the shepherd who would be smitten
(Zechariah 13:7). Forthey were God’s specialconcern(Isaiah25:4; Isaiah
41:17).
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Pett, Peter. "Commentary on Luke 7:22". "PeterPett's Commentary on the
Bible ". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/pet/luke-7.html. 2013.
The Expositor's Greek Testament
Luke 7:22 contains the verbal answer, pointing the moral = go and tell your
master what ye saw and heard (aorist, past at the time of reporting), and leave
him to draw his own conclusion.— νεκροὶ ἐγείρονται:this refers to the son of
the widow of Nain; raisings from the dead are not included in the list of
marvels given in the previous verse. Lk. omits throughout the connecting καὶ

with which Mt. binds the marvels into couplets. On the motive of John’s
message, vide notes of Mt., ad loc.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Nicol, W. Robertson, M.A., L.L.D. "Commentary on Luke 7:22". The
Expositor's Greek Testament.
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/egt/luke-7.html. 1897-1910.
George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary
addressing himself to these disciples of John the Baptist, he ordered them to
go and relate to their masterall they had seenand heard; and to tell him, that
he declaredall those to be happy, who, strong in faith, should not take
occasionto doubt of his divine power, (the proofs of which they had so
recently seen)from the weaknessofhis flesh, which he had takenupon
himself for the love of man. --- Jesus Christ alludes to the known and full
testimonies that had been given of him by the prophets. The Lord giveth food
to the hungry, the Lord looseththem that are in fetters, the Lord enlighteneth
the blind, he lifteth up them that are castdown, ... and he who does these
things, shall reign for ever thy God, O Sion, from generationto generation.
(Psalm cxlv.) (St. Ambrose) --- The words of the prophet Isaias are not less
descriptive of the promised Messias:God himself will come, and will save you.
Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
The lame man shall leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall be free.
(Isaias xxxv. 4, 5, 6.)(Theophylactus)
Copyright Statement

Bibliography
Haydock, George Leo. "Commentaryon Luke 7:22". "GeorgeHaydock's
Catholic Bible Commentary".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/hcc/luke-7.html. 1859.
E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes
Jesus. Omit [LIT Tr. A WH R.
seenand heard. The evidence was not that they were miracles (qua miracles),
but that the miracles were those that had been prophesied. See Isaiah29:18;
Isaiah85:4-6; Isaiah 60:1-3. Had the Lord workedmiracles far more
extraordinary they would have been no evidence at all as to His claims. the . . .
the, &c. No articles in the Greek.
see are seeing again. App-133.
dead = dead people.
No Art. See App-139.
to the poor the gospel is preached: literally the poor (App-127.) are being
evangelized(App-121.4).
Copyright Statement
Bibliography

Bullinger, Ethelbert William. "Commentary on Luke 7:22". "E.W.
Bullinger's Companion bible Notes".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bul/luke-7.html. 1909-1922.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
(22) Go your way.—The exactagreementof the answeras reported in the two
Gospels is significant as to the impression which they made at the time on
those who heard them.
Copyright Statement
Bibliography
Ellicott, Charles John. "Commentary on Luke 7:22". "Ellicott's Commentary
for EnglishReaders".
https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/ebc/luke-7.html. 1905.
Treasuryof Scripture Knowledge
Then Jesus answering saidunto them, Go your way, and tell John what things
ye have seenand heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are
cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospelis preached.
Go
John 1:46

how
21; 18:35-43;Job 29:15;Psalms 146:8;Isaiah 29:18,19;32:3,4;35:5,6;Isaiah
42:6,7,16;61:1-3;Jeremiah31:8; Matthew 9:28-30;21:14;John 9:30-33;Acts
26:18
the lame
Matthew 15:30,31;Acts 3:2-8; 8:7; 14:8-10
the lepers
5:12-15;17:12-19
the deaf
Isaiah43:8; Mark 7:32-37
the dead
14,15;8:53-55
to
4:18; Zephaniah 3:12; James 2:5
END OF STUDYLIGHT RESOURCES
The Miracle Worker
"Are You the ExpectedOne, or shall we look for someone else?"
Jesus workedmiracles for a reason. The chief purpose behind the miracles
was not to alleviate suffering, although that did happen, and Jesus was happy

to do so. But that was not the primary purpose of miracles. Instead, they were
done to show the world He was from God. We wish to see Jesus, the miracle
worker.
Jesus Claimedto Work Miracles
If this is true, then Jesus is the Son of God. A true "miracle" is an event that
has no other explanation except that God is behind it. It cannot be explained
by natural means. We either have to say"I don't know how that was done."
or, in faith, say "Goddid that." If Jesus did miracles, then that would mean
that He is from God(John 3:1,2; 5:36; 10:25;37-38). The purpose of miracles
was to validate Jesus'claim to be God's Son(Acts 2:22).
When John, in prison, wantedto be sure that Jesus was the One, he sent
messengersto Jesus to make inquiry (Matthew 11:2-6). Jesus told the
messengersto go and reassure Johnby reporting to him about the miracles
Jesus was doing. Jesus gave His apostles powerto accomplishmiracles as well.
Again, the purpose was to show that God's powerwas in Jesus, and that
included power to save from sin and give everlasting life (Acts 4:8-12).
Jesus'miracles were varied and done in various circumstances. Jesus did
many, many more miracles than just the thirty-plus ones recordedin the
Bible, but the ones that are recorded are representative of the things Jesus
would do almostconstantly (John 20:30,31).
Jesus did not do miracles for selfish reasons. Theywere never done for
Himself. (Matthew 4:2-4; John 4:6,7). Some have categorizedHis miracles as
showing His power:
a). over nature (calming the sea);

b). over disease (healing the sick);
c). Over demons (casting out unclean
spirits)
d). over material things (feeding the
5000)
e). over death (raising of Lazarus).
Definition of Miracle
Genuine miracles have severalcharacteristics. A miracle is a supernatural
event (it must have no other reasonable explanation - it is not simple a lucky
escape oran amazing coincidence).
To be a miracle, an event must be witnessed - it cannotbe a "sign" to anyone
if it is not seenby anyone. These events were signs that God was with Jesus, or
with the prophet or apostle doing the sign; and this meant that their words
were to be receivedas the word of God. The Greek word translated"miracle"
means "sign."
Miracles were not contrary to nature, but a circumvention of nature. In other
words, natural law calls for "cause andeffect". A miracle is where the power
of God causes aneffectthat would not have occurredif God had not
intervened.
Not every powerful thing God has done is a miracle. God may answera
prayer and heal someone who is ill, but that is not a sign.

The Critics Attack
Jesus'early critics have made many attacks. His enemies beganby saying that
He did miracles by Satan's power(Mark 3:22-25). They would have preferred
to deny that He did miracles at all like their modern day counterparts, but did
not have that option because everyone saw Jesusdo them. (See also Mark
6:14; 15:31; Luke 23:8). Early Jewishwriters refer to Him. The non-Christian
historian Josephus refers to His "marvelous deeds" and The Jewish
Babylonian Talmud (compiled in the 5th century from earlierwritings)
referred to Jesus as a "magician" in order to discount His miracles. Early
Roman sources also referto His miracles. Though the writings are not from
first hand witnesses,but rather from those who had heard of Jesus, theydo
not try and discount Jesus'miracles by denying He did them... but by
suggesting, much as did Pharaohwith Moses, that Paganmagicians were
better. These are the propagandists of the Empire. There was Porphyry of
Tyre and Hierocles, governorofBithynia who both make this argument in
some of the many books they write againstChristianity.
While the early critics simply could not deny the miracles because ofthe
many, many witnesses, critics todaycan because allthe witnesses are now
dead. There is no one here to say, "I saw them happen!" except in their
writings.
So, modernists and atheists;humanists and skeptics;Voltaire, Hume, the
Jesus Seminar... and so forth do not have to face the early witnesses. Mostof
these take the position that Jesus didn't really do miracles at all. Yes, the
witnesses are dead, but they do still speak!Through their writings, they do
say, "I saw the miracles happen!" (2 Peter1:16-18). Through their examples
of faith in the most difficult of circumstances and persecution, they give
further evidence that their testimony is true.
The Characteristicsof Jesus'Miracles

The miracles of Jesus signify many important spiritual truths and realities.
Not only do they confirm the Deity of Christ and that He is from God, but also
He has the power/authority to forgive sins (Matthew 9:5,6).
His miracles were compassionate. We see in Him tender care and concern.
(Luke 7:11-17). But the fact remains that His missionwas to bring salvation
from eternal anguish. That is the ultimate compassion, becauseto be lost in
eternity is much worse than losing anything here in this life.
The miracles testify as to the importance of faith (Mark 9:22-24). Notonly
was faith a necessitydemanded by the Lord in the case ofmiracles, but also in
the case ofour salvation (Romans 10:9,10).
Conclusion
So, what do we do for those who would like to see Jesus? We show them the
miracle workerwho proved His claim to be God's Son, for "no one could do
the signs" that (He) did unless God was with Him. For those who want to see
Jesus, they will find in Him the power to overcome (1 John 5:1-5).
By Jon W. Quinn
From Expository Files 15.10;October2008
PRECEPTAUSTIN RESOURCES
BRUCE HURT MD

Luke 7:22 And He answeredand said to them, "Go and report to John what
you have seenand heard: the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT, the lame walk, the
lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raisedup, the POOR
HAVE THE GOSPELPREACHED TO THEM.
KJV Then Jesus answering saidunto them, Go your way, and tell John what
things ye have seenand heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the
lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospelis
preached.
Go John 1:46
how Lk 7:21; 18:35-43;Job 29:15;Ps 146:8; Isaiah29:18,19;32:3,4;35:5,6;
Isaiah42:6,7,16;61:1-3; Jeremiah31:8; Matthew 9:28-30;21:14; John 9:30-
33; Acts 26:18
the lame Matthew 15:30,31;Acts 3:2-8; 8:7; 14:8-10
the lepers Lk 5:12-15;17:12-19
the deafIsaiah 43:8; Mark 7:32-37
the dead Lk 7:14,15;8:53-55
to Lk 4:18; Zephaniah 3:12; James 2:5
Luke 7 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries
Luke 7:18-35 Dealing With Doubt - Steven Cole
Luke 7:21-23 Why the BelieverDoubts, Part 2 - John MacArthur
NET Note on what you have seenand heard - The following activities all
paraphrase various OT descriptions of the time of promised salvation:Isa
35:5–6;26:19;29:18–19;61:1. Jesus is answering not by acknowledging a title,
but by pointing to the nature of his works, thus indicating the nature of the
time.
BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT...POOR HAVE THE GOSPELPREACHED TO
THEM - both are Messianic prophetic promises which further supports that
Jesus is indeed the Messiah. Johnknew the OT and knew these prophecies

spoke of the "ExpectedOne." The days of salvationforetold by Isaiah had
indeed commenced, and would be consummated when Christ returns to
establishHis Messianic kingdom(Millennium).
Spurgeon- According to our Lord’s testimony, the preaching of the gospelto
the poor is as greata proof of his Messiahshipas the raising of the dead. Then
how highly it ought to be prized by them, and how glad should they be who
have the gospelnow preachedfreely in their hearing!
Blind receive sight - (Lk 4:18-note;Lk 18:35-43-note)This quote is takenby
Jesus from Isaiah 35:5-6 -
Isaiah35:5-6-note Then the eyes of the blind will be openedAnd the ears of
the deafwill be unstopped. Then the lame will leap like a deer, And the tongue
of the mute will shout for joy. Forwaters will break forth in the wilderness
And streams in the Arabah.
Steven Cole comments - Isaiah35:5 prophesied that Messiahwould do such
(blind receive sight), and Jesus had cited that reference whenhe told the
messengersofJohn the Baptist, “Go and report to John what you have seen
and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and
the deafhear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the gospelpreachedto
them” (Lk 7:22-23). In the Bible, only Jesus openedthe eyes of the blind, and
there are more of His recordedmiracles in this categorythan any other. It
shows Him to be the promised Messiah. (WhenJesus PassesBy)
IVP BackgroundCommentary - Some teachers comparedthe blind, lame and
lepers to the dead because they had no hope of recovery.
Lame walk (Lk 5:17–25-note)
Lepers are cleansed(Lk 5:12–16-note;Lk 17:11–19-note)
Cleansed(2511)(katharizo from katharos = pure, clean, without stain or spot;
English words - catharsis = emotionalor physical purging, cathartic =
substance usedto induce a purging, Cathar = member of a medieval sect
which sought the purging of evil from its members) means to make clean by
taking awayan undesirable part. To cleanse from filth or impurity. Click here

(and here) for more backgroundon the important Biblicalconceptof clean
and cleansing.
Deafhear (cf. Isa. 29:18; 35:5; 42:18)
Deadare raised(Luke 7:11–17;8:40–56;cf. Acts 9:36–43)Augustine, in his
sermon on this miracle, says:“Who knows how many dead the Lord raised
visibly? For all the things that he did are not written. John tells us this. So
then there were without doubt many others raised.” (see John21:25)
Poorhave Gospelpreachedto them (Luke 4:18; 6:20; 14:13, 21).
POOR HAVE THE GOSPELPREACHED TO THEM - Jesus is quoting
from Isaiah 61:1-note. In Luke 4:18-note Jesus quoted Isaiah 61:1-2a stopping
at the favorable year (His first coming) because "the day of vengeance"was a
prophecy to be fulfilled at His SecondComing.
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Becausethe LORD has anointed me
To bring goodnews to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the
brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners; 2
To proclaim the favorable year of the LORD And the day of vengeance ofour
God; To comfort all who mourn,
Poor(4434)(ptochosfrom ptosso = crouch, cringe, cowerdown or hide oneself
for fear, a picture of one crouching and cowering like a beggarwith a tin cup
to receive the pennies dropped in!) is an adjective which describes one who
crouches and cowers andis used as a noun to mean beggar. These poorwere
unable to meet their basic needs and so were forced to depend on others or on
society. ClassicalGreekusedthe ptochos to refer to a person reduced to total
destitution, who crouched in a cornerbegging. As he held out one hand for
alms he often hid his face with the other hand, because he was ashamedof
being recognized. Ptochos describesnot simply honest poverty, and the
struggle of the laboring man to make ends meet but also describes abject
poverty, which has literally nothing and which is in imminent danger of real
starvation. Ptochos focusesona state of dependence.
Compare...

Matthew 5:3-note “Blessedare the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.
Uses of ptochos by Luke - Lk. 4:18; Lk. 6:20; Lk. 7:22; Lk. 14:13;Lk. 14:21;
Lk. 16:20; Lk. 16:22;Lk. 18:22; Lk. 19:8; Lk. 21:3;
Preached(the gospel, goodnews)(2097)(euaggelizo/euangelizo from eu = good,
well + aggéllo = proclaim, tell; English = evangelize)means to announce good
news concerning something. Euaggelizo was oftenused in the Septuagint for
preaching a glador joyful message(cf. 1Sam. 31:9; 2 Sa 1:20; 4:10).
Euaggelizo/euangelizo in its original sense couldbe used to refer to a
declarationof any kind of goodnews, but in the NT it refers especiallyto the
glad tidings of the coming kingdom of God and of salvationobtained through
Jesus Christ's death, burial and resurrection. Mostof NT uses of euaggelizo
are translated"preach" or "preachthe gospel," whicheverfits more smoothly
into the context.
Ryle on Go and report to John what you have seenand heard - We should
mark in these verses, the peculiar answerwhich the disciples of John received
from our Lord. We are told that “in the same hour He cured many of their
infirmities and plagues.” And then, “He said unto them, Go your way, and tell
John what things ye have seenand heard.” He makes no formal declaration
that he is the Messiahthat was to come. He simply supplies the messengers
with facts to repeat to their master, and sends them away. He knew well how
John the Baptistwould employ these facts. He would say to his disciples,
“Beholdin him who workedthese miracles, the prophet greaterthan
Moses.—Thisis he whom you must hear and follow, when I am dead.—This is
indeed the Christ.” Our Lord’s reply to John’s disciples, contains a great
practicallesson, which we shall do wellto remember. It teaches us that the
right way to test the value of Churches and ministers, is to examine the works
they do for God, and the fruits they bring forth. Would we know whether a
Church is true and trust-worthy?—Would we know whether a minister is
really called of God, and sound in the faith?—We must apply the old rule of
Scripture, “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” As Christ would be knownby
His works and doctrine, so must true Churches of Christ, and true ministers
of Christ. When the dead in sin are not quickened, and the blind are not

restoredto sight, and the poor have no glad tidings proclaimed to them, we
may generallysuspectthat Christ’s presence is wanting. Where He is, He will
be seenand heard. Where He is, there will not only be profession, forms,
ceremonies, anda show of religion. There will be actual, visible work in hearts
and lives.
It’s OkayTo Ask Read: Luke 7:18-28
Go and tell John the things you have seenand heard: that the blind see, the
lame walk, . . . the poor have the gospelpreachedto them. —Luke 7:22
It’s perfectly natural for fear and doubt to creep into our minds at times.
“What if heavenisn’t real after all?” “Is Jesus the only way to God?” “Willit
matter in the end how I lived my life?” Questions like these should not be
given quick or trite responses.
John the Baptist, whom Jesus calledthe greatestofthe prophets (Luke 7:28),
had questions shortly before his execution(v.19). He wanted to know for sure
that Jesus was the Messiahand that his ownministry had therefore been
valid.
Jesus’response is a comforting model for us to use. Instead of discounting the
doubt or criticizing John, Jesus pointed to the miracles He was doing. As
eyewitnesses,John’s disciples could return with vivid assurances fortheir
mentor. But He did more—He used words and phrases (v.22) drawn from
Isaiah’s prophecies of the coming Messiah(Isa. 35:4-6;61:1), which were
certain to be familiar to John.
Then, turning to the crowd, Jesus praisedJohn (Luke 7:24-28), removing any
doubt that He was offended by John’s need for reassurance afterall he had
seen(Matt. 3:13-17).
Questioning and doubting, both understandable human responses,are
opportunities to remind, reassure, and comfort those who are shakenby
uncertainty.
When my poor soul in doubt is cast

And darkness hides the Savior’s face,
His love and truth still hold me fast
For He will keepme by His grace. —D. De Haan
Reassurance comesas we doubt our doubts and believe our beliefs.
By Randy Kilgore
Used by permission from Our Daily Bread
WILLIAM BARCLAY
John sent emissaries to Jesus to ask if he really was the Messiahorif they
must look for someone else.
(i) This incident has worried many because they have been surprised at the
apparent doubt in the mind of John. Various explanations have been
advanced.
(a) It is suggestedthat John took this step, not for his own sake, but for the
sake ofhis disciples. He was sure enough; but they had their qualms and he
desired that they should be confronted with proof unanswerable.
(b) It is suggestedthat John wished to hurry Jesus on because he thought it
was time Jesus movedtowards decisive action.
(c) The simplest explanation is the best. Think what was happening to John.
John, the child of the desert and of the wide-open spaces,was confinedin a
dungeon cell in the castle ofMachaerus. Once, one ofthe Macdonalds, a
highland chieftain, was confined in a little cell in Carlisle Castle. In his cell
was one little window. To this day you may see in the sandstone the marks of
the feetand hands of the highlander as he lifted himself up and clung to the
window ledge day by day to gaze with infinite longing upon the border hills
and valleys he would never walk again. Shut in his cell, chokedby the narrow

walls, John askedhis question because his cruel captivity had put tremors in
his heart.
(ii) Note the proof that Jesus offered. He pointed at the facts. The sick and the
suffering and the humble poor were experiencing the power and hearing the
word of the GoodNews. Here is a point which is seldom realized--this is not
the answerJohnexpected. If Jesus was God's anointed one, John would have
expectedhim to say, "My armies are massing. Caesarea, the headquarters of
the Romangovernment, is about to fall. The sinners are being obliterated.
And judgment has begun." He would have expected Jesus to say, "The wrath
of God is on the march." but Jesus said, "The mercy of God is here." Let us
remember that where pain is soothedand sorrow turned to joy, where
suffering and death are vanquished, there is the kingdom of God. Jesus'
answerwas, "Go back and tell John that the love of God is here."
(iii) After John's emissaries had gone, Jesus paid his own tribute to him.
People had crowdedout into the desert to see and hear John and they had not
gone to see a reed shakenby the wind. That may mean one of two things.
(a) Nothing was commoner by Jordan's banks than a reed shakenby the
wind. It was in fact a proverbial phrase for the commonestof sights. It may
then mean that the crowds wentout to see no ordinary sight.
(b) It may stand for fickleness. It was no vacillating, swaying charactermen
went out to see like a swaying reed, but a man immovable as a mighty tree.
They had not gone out to see some soft effeminate soul, like the silk-clad
courtiers of the royal palace.
What then had they gone to see?
(a) First, Jesus pays John a great tribute. All men expected that before God's
anointed king arrived upon the earth, Elijah would return to prepare the way
and actas his herald (Malachi4:5). John was the herald of the Highest.
(b) Second, Jesus states quite clearlythe limitations of John. The leastin the
kingdom of heaven was greaterthan he. Why? Some have said that it was
because Johnhad wavered, if but for a moment, in his faith. It was not that. It

was because Johnmarked a dividing line in history. Since John's
proclamation had been made, Jesus had come; eternity had invaded time;
heaven had invaded earth; God had arrived in Jesus;life could never be the
same again. We date all time as before Christ and after Christ--B.C. and A.D.
Jesus is the dividing line. Therefore, all who come after him and who receive
him are of necessitygranted a greaterblessing than all who went before. The
entry of Jesus into the world divided all time into two; and it divided all life in
two. If any man be in Christ he is a new creation(2 Corinthians 5:17).
BRIAN BELL
Luke 7:18-35 5-7-06 “100Proof!”
1. Intro: 1.1. What does “Proof” meanwhen it refers to Whiskey? (& other
distilled alcoholic beverages)1.2. Storygoes that in the very old days, whiskey
was "proved" to be goodwhiskey(that is it had enough alcoholin it, and had
not been watereddown), by pouring some whiskeyon some gunpowder.
Touch a match to the powder, and if it ignited it was "proof" that it was good
whiskey. However, if there was too much waterin the whiskey, the powder
would be too wet to ignite. Then you have proof that it’s not goodwhiskey.
1.2.1. About 50% alcohol-watermixtures will allow gunpowder to catchon
fire. 1.2.2. Thus the 50% alcoholbecame 100%proof that it was good
whiskey, which is why today it is called100 proof whiskey.
1.3. Proof:A test or trial of something to establishwhether it is true. 1.3.1.
We all desire proof. We need to know “if it’s true”! And that’s a goodthing!
1.3.2. Asking Godfor proofs doesn’t shake Him up at all! – BUT!...you must
allow Him to answerdifferent then you might expect!
1.4. Everbeen shook to the very foundation of your faith? 1.4.1. Maybe it was
a difficult question? - About God, or His Word? 1.4.2. Maybe it was a very

difficult life circumstance? -A death of a loved one, a bankruptcy, a boyfriend
that broke up with you, a wife that left you, a child that left the faith. 1.5. Ever
experience:Doubt, despair, questions, hesitation, uncertainty, reservation,
indecision, vacillation…then you’re in goodcompany Christian! 1.5.1.
Yes!...now this is real, authentic, genuine Christianity…100 Proof!
1.6. Title: 100 Proof!Outline: Enough Proof!& Final Proof!
2. ENOUGH PROOF!(18-30)2.1. PERPLEXED!(18-20)2.2. The Prophets
Pause!2.2.1. An outdoorsman, a child of the desert& of the wide-open spaces,
now confined in a dungeon cell in the castle ofMachaerus.1 2.2.1.1.John
would find it very easyto get discouraged. 2.2.2. We todayget discouragedin
much better circumstances!
2.3. Johncouldn’t understand Jesus ministry…so he wonderedif another was
to come. 2.3.1. I thought he was coming to Judge…notSave!2.3.2. Was he
impatient with Christ’s quiet methods?
1 The Black Fortress, was built by Herod
the Greatin the gorge ofCallirhoe, one of the wadies 9 miles eastof the Dead
Sea. Eastman’s dict.
2 2.4. But John does the most excellentthing anyone could do…he sent his
little delegationstraight to Jesus foranswers!2.4.1. Doubtshould always be
brought direct to Him! 2.4.2. Doubtif hidden, will fester; if sharedwith
others, may spread.
2.4.3. Griffith Thomas, “Godis not wounded by a reverent challenge.”
2.4.3.1. Ps.42:9(sons ofKorah) “I will say to God my Rock, “Whyhave You
forgottenme? Why do I go mourning because of the oppressionof the
enemy?” 2.4.3.2.Ps.42:11 “Whyare you castdown, O my soul? And why are
you disquieted within me? (answer)Hope in God; ForI shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.”
2.5. ENLIGHTENED!(21-23)2.6. (21)1st Jesus made the dynamic duo wait
& watch!

2.7. (22)William Barclaysaid, John probably expectedto hear, “My armies
are massing. Caesarea, the headquarters of the Roman government, is about
to fall. The sinners are being obliterated. And judgment has begun.” He would
have expectedJesus to say, “The wrath of God is on the march.” but Jesus
said, “The mercy of God is here.” Let us remember that where pain is soothed
and sorrow turned to joy, where suffering and death are vanquished, there is
the kingdom of God. Jesus’answerwas, “Goback and tell John that the love
of God is here.”2 2.7.1. ByJesus’answerin vs.22, we see that John doubted
His work not necessarilyHim!
2.8. Johndid you over look the scriptures that spoke ofMy healing,
delivering, & preaching in the OT? 2.8.1.Is.35:5,6 “Thenthe eyes of the blind
shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame
shall leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing.” 2.8.2.Is.61:1 “The
Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Becausethe LORD has anointed Me to
preach goodtidings to the poor;” 2.8.3. Actually he gives them 6 works that
fulfilled OT Messianic promises.
2.9. Does Jesus everlook different to you? (i.e. the way He is working in your
life?)
2.10. Jesussaid, the proof is in the healing; the proof is in the delivering; the
proof is in the raising; the proof is in the preaching! 2.10.1. Blind eyes are
seeing things they’ve never seenbefore;Cripples are leaping; Lepers once
shut out of societynow cleansed& restoredto fellowship; Ears that have
heard no song of a bird, or music, are listening; the dead are raised; Oh, & the
spiritually poor who had no soul wealthhave heard the GoodNews & are now
rich towards God!3 2.10.2. TellJohnI am Masterhere!
2The Gospelof Luke. 2000;William
Barclay;The Daily study Bible series. 3 G.CampbellMorgan;pg.97,98.
3 2.11. (23)Offended - The Lord’s ways canoften be very “stumbling”! 2.11.1.
David was offended by God’s severity (2 Sam.6:8) 2.11.1.1.And David became
angry because ofthe LORD’s outbreak againstUzzah. 2.11.2. Jonahwas

offended by God’s mercy (Jonah 4:1-3) 2.11.2.1. Butit displeasedJonah
exceedingly, and he became angry. 2.11.3. Martha was offendedby Christ’s
delay (John 11:21)2.11.3.1.“Lord, if You had been here, my brother would
not have died.”
2.12. Muchgrace is needed when the messengerscome back saying:Yes, it’s
Him!”…“the One who can do anything!”…“the One who has all
power”...“but, didn’t say a word about letting you out!” 2.12.1. No
explanation; faith nourished; prison doors left closed;& then the message,
“blessedis he who is not stumbled because ofme” – Thatis all! 2.12.2.Christ
will not explain Himself, but instead He will reveal Himself, as He did to
David, to Jonah, to Martha, & to John!4
2.13. Whathave you expectedof the Christian faith that turned out to be
different? 2.13.1. Maybe you’ve learned: that as Jesus didn’t come to judge, so
we aren’t supposedto judge! - that as Jesus didn’t come to build religious
walls, so we aren’t supposedto constructthem either! - that as Jesus came to
reachout to people, to heal, to save, to bring hope, to care…so oughtwe!
2.14. Our work of the Church is to alleviate human suffering as Christ did,
but that is not our final work, nor our principle work. 2.14.1.We are to bring
men into living relationship w/God so they might enjoy “the franchise of
eternity”(Morgan)!
2.15. APPROVED!(24-30)2.16. Jesus gives honorto His rugged, faithful, &
fearless forerunner! 2.16.1.Sucha greattribute to a man…who had doubts.
2.17. (24)What did you go out to see? A fickle, vacillating, swaying character
of a man? 2.17.1. NotJohn! – He was a man immovable as a mighty tree!
2.17.2.He wasn’tan unstable Reed, more like a sturdy Cedar! 2.18. (25)What
did you go out to see? Some softeffeminate soul, like the silk-cladattendees of
the RoyalPalace?2.18.1. NotJohn! – That locusteatin, camelhair wearin,
manly man! 2.19. (26-28)What did you go out to see? A Prophet! 2.19.1.
Bingo! - And more than a prophet! - Matterof factthe greatestprophet!
2.19.2.He was heraldedas the highest!
2.20. (27)Jesus saidJohn is the one the OT prophet Malachiwrote about.
2.20.1.Alfred Plummer said about John, “The whole man was a sermon!”

4 Griffith Thomas;pg.129
4 2.21. (28b)But he who is leastin the kingdom of Godis greaterthan he –
How? 2.21.1. Johnwas great, but even he did not know what Calvary would
mean. Nor did he live to see it. 2.21.1.1.Johnmarked a dividing line in
history. 2.21.2. “Jesushad come;eternity had invaded time; heaven had
invaded earth; God had arrived in Jesus;life could never be the same
again.”5 2.21.3. Therefore, allwho come after Jesus and who receive him, are
of necessitygranteda greaterblessing than all who went before.
2.22. The humblest believer today has a much higher position in Christ than
John had as a prophet. 2.22.1.1.Johnbelongedto the old dispensationof Law.
2.22.1.2.Believers todayare seatedw/Christ in the heavenlies. 2.22.1.3.So, the
smallestdiamond is strongerthan the largestflint! 2.22.1.3.1.Ex:My small
diamond in my ring, vs. a large plate glass window!
2.23. (29)Many Jews(evenTaxCollectors)repentedat John’s preaching.
2.24. (30)Wow!Hear that statement? “they rejectedthe will of God for
themselves!” 2.25. The Pharisees hadrefused & ridiculed Johns baptism &
preaching of repentance. 2.25.1. Lord, save us from making shipwreck of our
life, & bringing heartache & heartbreak to You!
3. FINAL PROOF!(31-35)3.1. THE UNREASONABLENESSOF THE
GENERATION!(31-34)3.2. We also live in a very unreasonable generation!
3.2.1. One asked, “Whatis the biggestproblem in our nation – Ignorance or
Apathy?” To which came the response, “Idon’t know & I don’t care!”
3.3. Here is a searching & scathing rebuke! 3.4. Christ likened their
generationunto little children who wouldn’t play anything. 3.4.1. Iremember
playing with my 2 younger sisters growing up. We’d play Gas Station (prob
too expensive to play today!) I’d pull up on my red peddle tractor, Jeanette
would use the gardenhose to pump pretend gas in. 3.4.2. But we all had a
friend on the block that didn’t seemto want to play anything. 3.4.3. Wanna
ride bikes? Too much energy! – How about Monopoly? Too long!

3.5. Theycomplained about both John’s austerity & Christ’s gentleness.
3.5.1. Johnstayedin the desert as the eccentric;so they assumeda demon took
his wits away! 3.5.2. Jesus came living the life of men & entering their
activities;so they taunted Him with loving earth’s pleasures fartoo much.
3.5.3. John’s too rough, look at his clothes, whata fanatic! 3.5.4. Jesus, He’s
too smooth! I’ve seenhim at some parties you know! Did you hear, He hangs
out with sinners? 5 The Gospelof Luke.
2000;William Barclay;The Daily study Bible series.
5 3.5.5. So they didn’t like serious John nor sociable Jesus!3.5.5.1. Yet, despite
their differences, their messagewas the same!
3.6. Well, the counterculture of love had been defined(ch.6)! 3.6.1. Godchose
the dangerous wayof love, & we know love in the end will triumph!
3.6.2. Godhas made many appeals to mankind in history’s past. All sorts of
different Patriarchs, Prophets, Kings, Priests, Apostles, & Messengershave
come, & yet were met with willful & childish discontent.
3.6.3. (Message)“Johnthe Baptizer came fasting and you called him crazy.
The Son of Man came feasting and you called him a lush. Opinion polls don’t
count for much, do they? The proof of the pudding is in the eating.”
3.7. FINAL PROOF!(35) 3.8. “The proof is in the pudding” (or, The proof of
the pudding is in the eating)[from DonQuixote de la Mancha]3.8.1.
“Pudding” actually meant: a portion of pig intestine, tied with a pudding stick
at both ends, stuffed with all sorts of meat, fat, grain, & spices, a.k.a.
“sausage”. 3.8.2.You can’t say whether it is goodor not until you partake of
it. 3.8.3. One really can’t “try on” Christianity! - He says instead, eat my body
& drink my blood to make His point! 3.8.4. The results vindicate the method!
3.9. Do you getit? Christian, you & I are the proof! 3.9.1. We are to be
“God’s Final Answer”!
3.10. The renownedartist Gustave Dore(daw-ray)(1821–1883)losthis
passportwhile traveling in Europe. When he came to a border crossing, he
explained his predicament to one of the guards. Giving his name to the
official, Dore hoped he would be recognizedand allowedto pass. The guard,

however, said that many people attempted to cross the border by claiming to
be persons they were not. Dore insistedthat he was the man he claimed to be.
“All right,” said the official, “we’llgive you a test, and if you pass it we’ll
allow you to go through.” Handing him a pencil and a sheetof paper, he told
the artist to sketchseveralpeasants standing nearby. Dore did it so quickly
and skillfully that the guard was convincedhe was indeed who he claimed to
be. His work confirmed his word!6 (Does yours?)
JIM BOMKAMP
7:18-23 - “ 18 The disciples of John reported to him about all these things. 19
Summoning two of his disciples, John sentthem to the Lord, saying, “Are You
the ExpectedOne, or do we look for someone else?”20 Whenthe men came to
Him, they said, “Johnthe Baptist has sent us to You, to ask, ‘Are You the
ExpectedOne, or do we look for someone else?’” 21 At that very time He
cured many people of diseases andafflictions and evil spirits; and He gave
sight to many who were blind. 22 And He answeredand said to them, “Go and
report to John what you have seenand heard: the blind receive sight, the lame
walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the
poor have the gospelpreachedto them. 23 “Blessedis he who does not take
offense at Me.”” - John the Baptist sends a delegationto Jesus to find out if
He was ‘the ExpectedOne or do we look for someone else’?
4.1. John the Baptistwas sitting in jail at this point in time. He
had been jailed for rebuking Herod Antipas of his sin, especiallythat sin of
adultery in taking his brother Philip’s wife, Herodias, to be his wife.

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